Reviews tagging 'Classism'

A Winter's Promise by Christelle Dabos

32 reviews

emerentina's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious reflective

• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Physical abuse, Suicide, Blood, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

crondeau_yvr's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

The audio book narrator is excellent I’m just not convinced by the story yet. But of course I have to read book 2 now because I have no idea what’s going to happen next. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism

Moderate: Toxic relationship and Violence

shaimanshamoon's review

challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A Winter's Promise is an enchanting start to The Mirror Visitor Quartet, filled with rich world-building, political intrigue, and a unique magic system. The protagonist, Ophelia, a quiet woman who can read objects and travel through mirrors, is forced into an arranged marriage with the cold and mysterious Thorn. As she navigates the treacherous court of the Pole, the plot unfolds with slow-burning tension, uncovering secrets and hidden agendas.

The intricate universe of floating arks is vividly imagined, and the magic system feels fresh and essential to the story. Ophelia's character development, from shy and awkward to resilient, is a highlight, while Thorn's layers unravel slowly. The pacing is deliberate, and while some may find the action lacking, the novel's focus on political maneuvering and suspense is rewarding.

Though the relationship between Ophelia and Thorn

develops at a glacial pace (wish they'd fall in love!), their

dynamic adds depth. Thorn's frequent scoffing, like the "he growled" in some
books is funny to me

Overall, A Winter's Promise is a beautifully crafted fantasy that will captivate patient readers.

Rating: 4/5

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Content Warnings

Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Miscarriage, Rape, Suicide, Violence, Police brutality, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Classism

prosenheim's review

adventurous hopeful inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Classism

Moderate: Misogyny

flamesocks's review

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Drug use, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, Police brutality, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

bag_end_library's review

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

Great world and character building. Was enraptured from the start. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, and Classism

e_riahh's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Drug use, Misogyny, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Pregnancy, and Classism

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Blood, and Alcohol

Minor: Animal death, Death, Miscarriage, Death of parent, and Murder

chasinggrace's review

mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I was so excited for the premise of this book, but unfortunately I was disappointed. The first installment of this series felt like a prequel with one of the most drab main characters I’ve ever read. Her development from meek and clumsy to angry and clumsy took 490 pages, and her relationship with Thorn moved at a similarly glacial pace. This book was dedicated to Ophelia understanding court politics and having her innocence completely shed, whereas I was expecting more - more interactions with Thorn, for the main character to have a quicker mind, for SOMETHING to happen. But it’s 500 pages of her getting pushed around like a rag doll. This truly could have been condensed, and I wish it had been. 

The world is fantastic, I will say. It reminds me of a cross between Studio Ghibli and Bridgerton. 


While I’m not completely put off from the series, it’ll be awhile before I decide if I want to continue with Ophelia’s story. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug use, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism

a_islandcriptid's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Police brutality, and Classism

Minor: Addiction, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Sexual content, Suicide, Violence, Xenophobia, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Alcohol

siomhaw's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Genocide, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Minor: Infertility, Suicide, Vomit, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis